A Little Explanation
About yesterday’s — April first — post...
I thought I’d get at least one person to come right out and say I was full of it. I figured that the idea of an Academy Award-winning screenwriter asking me to flesh out the unfinished work of an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter would make somebody go, “Huh?” Oh, sure, I threw in a bunch of diversionary jargon, tossed in a few facts (Tim Talbott was a friend of mine in high school, and in addition to being an uncredited screenwriter himself, he is friends with Christopher McQuarrie), but still, I was sure somebody would catch on. Couple that with the fact that I can’t keep a secret to save my life, and I felt that at the very least, some of my coworkers would figure out that something was up.
I wanted to do something at least a bit memorable this year (I remember a radio station gag a few years back that had people turning their radios upside down for improved reception), but I was careful to stay away from anything that hinted at the negative (no “my dog died” stories); I wanted people to feel taken, but not taken advantage of. A few of you had read at least one of the innumerable “drafts” of my screenplay (which, alas, Tim did not care for, let alone Chris McQuarrie), so I figured that might be a good jumping-off point. And the rest is history. Or at least my little segment of it.
I suppose I should really take it as a compliment that so many of my friends would believe I could do this. And for that, I sincerely thank you all.
Now you can all make comments about what a bastard I am...
I thought I’d get at least one person to come right out and say I was full of it. I figured that the idea of an Academy Award-winning screenwriter asking me to flesh out the unfinished work of an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter would make somebody go, “Huh?” Oh, sure, I threw in a bunch of diversionary jargon, tossed in a few facts (Tim Talbott was a friend of mine in high school, and in addition to being an uncredited screenwriter himself, he is friends with Christopher McQuarrie), but still, I was sure somebody would catch on. Couple that with the fact that I can’t keep a secret to save my life, and I felt that at the very least, some of my coworkers would figure out that something was up.
I wanted to do something at least a bit memorable this year (I remember a radio station gag a few years back that had people turning their radios upside down for improved reception), but I was careful to stay away from anything that hinted at the negative (no “my dog died” stories); I wanted people to feel taken, but not taken advantage of. A few of you had read at least one of the innumerable “drafts” of my screenplay (which, alas, Tim did not care for, let alone Chris McQuarrie), so I figured that might be a good jumping-off point. And the rest is history. Or at least my little segment of it.
I suppose I should really take it as a compliment that so many of my friends would believe I could do this. And for that, I sincerely thank you all.
Now you can all make comments about what a bastard I am...
7 “classic” comments visible on the new comments page
The following is the e-mail I sent Bill once he revealed the joke to me:
"Oh Bill.... You Bastard! You gave me hope for one brief moment! And to think that I was already planning your goodbye party. Ugggg..... It even played well with the vacation request you sent today - obviously that was all part of the plan. Well, you got me, and you got me good.... jerk!"
"Oh Bill.... You Bastard! You gave me hope for one brief moment! And to think that I was already planning your goodbye party. Ugggg..... It even played well with the vacation request you sent today - obviously that was all part of the plan. Well, you got me, and you got me good.... jerk!"
Hillary · Wed, Apr 2nd 2003, at 10:18AM
Bill, what a bastard you are!
Actually, I never read the first message until you sent the e-mail to read the update. I would like to think I would have caught on, since there were other April Fool's jokes going on. But who are we kidding here?
Bravo on fooling everyone else — suckers!
Actually, I never read the first message until you sent the e-mail to read the update. I would like to think I would have caught on, since there were other April Fool's jokes going on. But who are we kidding here?
Bravo on fooling everyone else — suckers!
Mike · Wed, Apr 2nd 2003, at 10:30AM
Dick! You had me going, but I was really hoping it was true...if Ben Affleck can write a screenplay, you definitely can!
David L · Wed, Apr 2nd 2003, at 11:20AM
...prick
Dan · Wed, Apr 2nd 2003, at 4:54PM
You're such a bastard. Heh.
Kori · Wed, Apr 2nd 2003, at 6:31PM
Since everyone else is posting their emails to Bill, here's an excerpt from mine:
"You totally suck! I was really excited for you. Now I hate you.
See where your pranks get you, Bill Coughlan? You will never work for Korilu productions!
You must remember, though, that I believe enough in your talent that I actually think that this could happen for you, my friend. That's no joke.
"
"You totally suck! I was really excited for you. Now I hate you.
See where your pranks get you, Bill Coughlan? You will never work for Korilu productions!
You must remember, though, that I believe enough in your talent that I actually think that this could happen for you, my friend. That's no joke.
"Nello · Wed, Apr 2nd 2003, at 6:37PM
I knew it. No scotch for you, my friend. (At least not yet.)
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